Kratom: A Growing Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Though limited in supply, kratom continues to grow rapidly as a treatment for opioid addiction by alleviating the opiate withdrawal. In this post, I will discuss why kratom is an effective treatment for opiate addiction. If you’re wondering “what is kratom?” I hope this article paints a clearer picture.

What is kratom?

Mitragyna Speciosa, also known as kratom, is a plant in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. Though mild in effect, kratom has proven to be an effective treatment for a wide variety of common ailments. When you delve into the kratom community, you come to learn this plants use is far more medicinal than recreational.

Kratom’s usage is not just for the treatment of addiction. There are actually many who take the plant for chronic pain & arthritic conditions. Furthermore, there are a large amount of kratom users who enjoy the plant for its ability to alleviate anxiety & depression. One of the most commonly known uses of kratom, however, is in the treatment of opioid addiction by alleviating the opiate withdrawal.

Why does kratom work so effectively for the opiate withdrawal?

Kratom has 40 alkaloids. It’s main active alkaloid, mitragynine, stimulates the opioid receptor in the brain. This enables addicts to avoid the painful opiate withdrawal typically associated with opioid addiction. After making the transition to kratom, many opiate addicts will report that their lives have become much more manageable.

Is kratom itself an opioid?

No, so what is kratom? Kratom itself is not an opiate. Therefore, kratom will not show up on a drug test for opiates. While there are drug tests that test for kratom, they are not cheap when compared with the tests that are commonly used by hiring companies. Given the effects of kratom are mild, and that companies are always looking to save on costs, it is extremely unlikely an employer would drug test for kratom.

Why Kratom might be the best solution for the opioid crisis

We still do not have the disease of addiction fully figured out, and we may never will. Fortunately, we do know that the 12 steps are a proven method to achieving and maintaing sobriety. However, doing this takes determination and dedication. The reality is, a lot of opiate addicts just might not possess this strength to quit using at a given time. Addicts are often times people who are broken, weak, or may have even given up on life entirely.

One thing we do know about addicts is that most are willing and able to try kratom daily. Afterall, using substances is what got them here in the first place, right? And while that behavior is not something to boast or joke about, it is for this reason daily kratom use is something most addicts will not have a hard time doing.

It really is stupid that Kratom is being banned in my opinion. Part of the reason for this app is to come together on things like this and push to reform certain drug policies that don’t make sense. This is definitely one of them. Sure, Kratom can be addictive. However, you can’t overdose and it helps with addiction to harder drugs. It’s also a great natural pain medication that doesn’t cause organ damage.

A lot of people in the kratom community are exposed to an unfortunate reality about our country and the world. Big businesses continue to corrupt and destroy lives to protect and grow their profits. In our country, the FDA and DEA are practically run by these big businesses. People who are buying drugs on the black market don’t question this reality as much. For them, that is the way it’s always been, and they can get their illegal drugs down the street if they want. And if they can’t, then they probably aren’t addicted to it. The cloak is over most drug users.

People who do kratom witness the FDA and DEA ignore the tens of thousands of people who are telling them personally that the plant saved their life. It is obvious that kratom is a damn god send. People who do kratom are concerned for their lives in the midst of a declared ban. They are afraid they may not have access to kratom, and they are ready to fight for their lives to keep it legal. Kratom has really grown in demand recently, but is it popular enough to where it would be readily available on the black market for the people who use it like marijuana, cocaine, and heroine? I’m not so sure.